A. Should a fire occur, the person discovering it and any person in the vicinity of the fire shall make a prompt effort to extinguish it. When a fire that may endanger persons at the mine cannot be extinguished immediately, all persons shall be withdrawn promptly from the area of the fire. B. In case of any unplanned fire at or about a mine not extinguished within thirty minutes of discovery, the operator or agent shall report by the quickest available means to the Chief, giving all information known to him regarding the fire. The Chief shall take prompt action, based on the information, to go in person or dispatch qualified subordinates to the scene of the fire for consultation, and assist in the extinguishing of the fire and the protection of exposed persons. In the event of a difference of opinion as to measures required, the decision of the Chief or his designated subordinate shall be final, but must be given to the operator in writing to have the force of an order. Code 1950, § 45-14.1; 1954, c. 191; 1966, c. 594, § 45.1-89; 1974, c. 323; 1978, c. 118; 1984, c. 590; 1985, c. 500; 1994, c. 28 ; 1999, c. 28 .
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